2023 BMW i4 Review

The BMW i4 is an essential component of the company's growing EV lineup. It provides the 4-series Grand Coupe's style along with a battery powertrain and extremely refined driving characteristics, making it a 10Best Award-winning combination. Three different i4 versions are available: The eDrive35 offers 281 horsepower and 260 miles of EPA range, while the eDrive40 generates 335 horsepower with an estimated 300 miles of driving range. The first two vehicles are single-motor rear-drive. In the fiery, all-wheel-drive i4 M50, that distance reduces to 245 miles. It is a huge compliment that the latter drives like an M3 with superior handling. In comparison to an M3 Competition, the M50 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, reaching 70 mph in just 2.0 seconds—0.7 seconds faster than the Bimmer. The i4 is a superb everyday driver when not engaged in ab-toning acceleration runs. It's a thrilling and elegant sedan with a supple ride and profoundly satisfying sports-sedan handling, despite lacking the steering feedback we prefer in other M cars.

Modifications for 2023

The BMW i4 was only introduced last year, so there aren't many alterations to the 2023 model's options. A new, entry-level eDrive35 model has been added to the lineup. It claims to have a 260-mile range using a smaller 66.0-kWh battery cell. The i4 M50 can be ordered with unique "M 50 Years" emblems from BMW. There are no longer any 18-inch M Bi-color Midnight Grey rims available with all-season tires. The Premium package will not include the Iconic Sounds Electric option, which allows a variety of synthesized sounds to be played through the car's speakers and timed with acceleration.

Which Trim To Purchase?

The eDrive35 and eDrive40 trims are less costly but less powerful than the M50, which offers better performance. The M-badged variant includes 19-inch wheels as standard equipment and a more commanding exterior. Additionally, it has a superbly adjusted suspension that handles aggressive driving while remaining serene and at ease in populated areas. The M variant also comes with upgraded brakes that feature blue calipers. Although their wider, stickier tires work better and look good, the optional 20-inch rims reduce the M50's estimated driving range from 270 to 227 miles. The Premium package (ambient interior lighting, heated seats and steering wheel, and lumbar support), one of the Vernasca leather choices, and individual upgrades like the adaptive LED headlights, ventilated front seats, Harman Kardon sound system, and wireless charging would all improve the interior.

Power & Performance

Depending on the model, the 2023 i4 supplies electricity to one or two electric engines. One of two single-motor rear-drive models with a 281-hp engine is the eDrive35. A single 335 horsepower motor is installed on the back axle of the eDrive40. Both wheels of the M50 have electric motors, which together offer all-wheel drive and generate 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. The M50 we tried reached 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, outperforming an M3 Competition with rear drive. The rear-drive i4 rides on a pair of 18-inch wheels as standard; 19-inch rims are an option. The all-wheel-drive M50, on the other hand, has adjustable dampers, variable-ratio steering, and either 19s or 20s. The i4 M50 that we drove had immediate and powerful thrust, and despite weighing significantly more than an M3, it moved confidently and gracefully thanks to its reduced center of gravity.

Fuel Economy

The eDrive40 variant with standard 18-inch wheels is the most fuel-efficient i4 model, according to the EPA. The figures for that particular model were 109 MPGe city and 108 MPGe highway. These numbers are marginally reduced when the larger 19-inch wheels are added, and the more potent M50 model receives a lower rating as well. Although we haven't taken every i4 through our 75 mph highway route as part of our rigorous testing process, an i4 eDrive 40 Gran Coupe we tested had a range rating of 280 miles. EPA assessment is only two miles away.

Interior & Comfort

The i4's interior is luxuriously decorated, with options for rose gold trim, white leather seating, and light wood trim. The basic design is similar to other BMW models, but the i4 is the first to feature a large, seamless display that covers nearly two-thirds of the dashboard, joining the all-electric iX SUV. The four-door i4 mimics a coupe's silhouette with a dramatic rear roofline but has a conventional trunk in the back.

Infotainment

One of the first BMWs to include the most recent networking and infotainment features is the i4. The dashboard's enormous curved display, known as iDrive 8, has a 14.9-inch tablet combined with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel to control the vehicle. The system includes a rotary controller on the central console, advanced vocal commands, and many well-liked features. These consist of a Wi-Fi connection, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Safety

Various driver-assistance technologies are available as standard and optional features in the 2023 i4. Visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for more details regarding the findings of the Bimmer's crash tests. Important safety elements include:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking

Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist

Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology

Warranty & Coverage For Maintenance

A competitive warranty from BMW is currently available, with one of the best complimentary maintenance periods.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles

Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

Competitive Cars

BMW i4 vs. Tesla Model 3

Compared to its BMW competitor, the Tesla Model 3 offers a few advantages. The starting price of the Model 3 is lower ($43,990), it accelerates more quickly, and it has a more sophisticated set of driver assistance features. It also has a marginally longer driving range (up to 315 miles). (Autopilot). Access to Tesla's Supercharger network, which can make it simpler to locate dependable charging stations on the road, is another advantage for the Model 3. In contrast, the BMW has a more luxurious cabin, more cargo room, and an easier-to-use infotainment system than the Tesla. It also has a more comfortable journey. In the end, both are wise choices.

BMW i4 vs. Polestar 2

The Polestar 2 and the BMW i4 have some similarities. Both vehicles have luxurious cabins, eye-catching infotainment systems, tons of standard features, and useful hatchback body designs. The Polestar 2 is about $3,000 more affordable than the basic i4 model, but overall, the i4 is the superior choice. It provides a greater mix of handling agility and ride comfort, as well as an extended driving range and quicker acceleration.